Those big moving monsters, called cranes and found in construction sites in the busy metropolis are safe. After all, they are huge enough to be held accountable for their performance. There are also highly intelligent engineers who check on them every time. So, yes, I’m sure they are safe. Crane operators are directed by federal guidelines after all. Or so I thought.
Crane Crashes and Mishaps
Videos of a crane crash aftermath and pictures of wasted lives were splashed on television screens, newspaper covers and computer monitors as cranes collapsed in Miami, Texas, Missouri, and New York City this year.
Reports say that the latest incident in New York’s Upper East Side left two people dead and one seriously injured when a crane snapped apart and collapsed. The Manhattan borough president reportedly said that there had been violations at the construction site.
He added, however, that they have not kept up a safety regimen consistent with the needs of the construction boom.
Stricter Inspection and Safety Training
Okay, let’s dig in on why these avoidable accidents happen. Some people believe that the government hasn’t been able to cope with advances in crane industry technology or do not have regulations at all. While others think that inspectors commit lapses in inspecting operation safety or that construction workers are not well-equipped in handling and operating cranes.
Photo by Grafixar
While it is easy to be overwhelmed by numerous safety policies and procedures, it still pays to follow rules. That’s basic. Knowing and complying with the government’s acts and regulations on safety is important.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) website offers an extensive information pool on workplace safety and health and on building better working environments. Obeying state and federal rules not only brings safety but also keeps one away from trouble.
Crane Safety Inspection & Training – A Priority
But even that is not enough. Inspections are important. Trained inspectors are even more indispensible. A grasp of the regulations mandated by your local government office on public safety and health would also help businesses in guaranteeing that they’ve taken all possible steps in ensuring the safety of their workers and making their job sites as hazard free as possible.
If one has been in the construction industry for long, he would know that equipping workers and operators with the proper information and training on work-related safety measures is just as important as posting the state’s labor laws on office walls. Being familiar with and experiencing actual crane operation, as well as foreseeing possible mishaps are vital in ensuring a harmless workplace for everyone.
So, okay, those cranes are not as safe as I assumed they are. But that is either because of a lack of information from the government or because of operators who do not abide by the laws. Whichever, I guess our safety is really on our hands. This means that accidents, by all means, can really be avoided. Now I’m thinking.
Related Links:
OSHA Responds to Crane Accidents
OSHA New York City’s Top Cited Violations: Fall Hazards Top the List
Top 7 Tips on Using the 2006 Census to Improve Workplace Safety
